Argylle
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
★★½
Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa and John Cena in "Argylle," now streaming on Apple TV+.
Matthew Vaughn's latest venture, Argylle, ventures into familiar territory for the director, but unfortunately, it falls short of the mark set by his previous works. While Vaughn's trademark whimsy and style are present, they feel like a mere echo of his earlier successes, specifically the original Kingsman, failing to leave a lasting impression. The film attempts to blend diegetic fantasy literary elements within its plot, creating an intriguing premise within its universe but ultimately struggles to capitalize on this potential.
Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell inject energy and charisma into their roles, clearly relishing the opportunity to play within Vaughn's semi-fantastical world. However, the same cannot be said for Henry Cavill and Dua Lipa, who seem underutilized and fail to make a significant impact on the narrative. It's disappointing to see such talent go to waste in a film that promised so much.
The most glaring issue with Argylle lies in its underwritten script and overall execution. While the premise holds promise, the film fails to fully explore all of its established elements, leaving them feeling empty. As a result, what could have been a captivating narrative ends up feeling shallow and unsatisfying.
One of the film's biggest missteps comes in the form of a twist ending that feels completely out of place within the context of the world Vaughn has created. It just falls flat, leaving audiences scratching their heads rather than feeling surprised or satisfied. It's a jarring conclusion to an already uneven film, further highlighting the shortcomings of its storytelling.
In terms of visuals and style, Argylle certainly delivers on Vaughn's signature flair. The film is visually stunning, with vibrant cinematography and stylish action sequences that showcase the director's talent behind the camera. However, these elements alone are not enough to salvage the film from its narrative shortcomings.
Ultimately, Argylle is a disappointing effort from Matthew Vaughn, failing to live up to the high expectations set by his previous works. While there are moments of enjoyment to be found, particularly in the performances of Howard and Rockwell, they are overshadowed by the film's underdeveloped script and nonsensical twist ending. It's a film that may be worth a watch for fans of Vaughn's style, but it's certainly not worth the price of admission. Instead, it's best suited for casual viewing on Apple TV+ after its release.
